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JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FIRST READING OF FY 20/21 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 1, 2020 6:00 P.M. The purpose of this meeting was to review the tentative FY 20/21 Budget. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member; Tommy New, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Commissioner Johnny Davis and County Attorney, Dalton Dowdy were absent. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order, led the pledge of allegiance and gave the invocation. First Reading and Review of FY 2021 Budget Former County Administrator, Adam Brett reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the FY 21 budget and answered questions from the board and the public. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to move out of the budget hearing. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimous. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Charles W. Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION JUNE 1, 2020 7:00 P.M. The purpose of this meeting was to prepare the agenda for the June meeting. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member; Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member: Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney: and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance; Commissioner Gonice Davis gave the invocation. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to amend and adopt the agenda. The amendment was to add Reverend Bill Caine as NEW BUSINESS, Item c. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Transition Center Addition Proposal Warden Calvin Oliphant presented the following request to the board asking for additional space at the Jefferson County Correctional Institute’s transitional center. The request below outlines the warden’s request for more space in detail. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner New made a motion to approve Warden Oliphant’s request and grant the Jefferson County Correctional Institute’s transitional center more space. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Yancey Proposal for Dump Truck Buy Back Rick Callaway from Yancey Brothers presented the board with a proposal to buy back two dump trucks the county purchased from his company in March 2014. The board of commissioners voted at the aforementioned meeting to purchase two caterpillar dump trucks from Yancey Brothers at a cost of $139,723.00 each. Mr. Calloway stated the trucks had not performed to Caterpillar standards and they would, typically place the customer in a another truck or piece of machinery, etc. however, Caterpillar made the decision to get out of the truck business, therefore they do not have a truck to swap out. Their solution was to purchase the trucks back from Jefferson County at $65,000 per truck to get the trucks off Jefferson County’s hands. Mr. Callaway went on to say Jefferson County was his most loyal customer and he wanted to make sure they were treated right. The email depicting the agreement between Yancey Brothers and Jefferson County is reflected here in the minutes. He also apologized for the truck’s lack of reliability, then answered questions from the board. Chairman McGraw thanked Mr. Callaway for the work he did in facilitating the buy back. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to accept the proposal from Yancey Brothers and sell the two Caterpillar dump trucks back to Yancey Brothers at $65,000 each. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Dump Truck Replacement The county administrator presented and reviewed the information below on the purchase of a dump truck replacement. The chairman stated with the downturn in revenue received they would possibly use the money received on the two trucks to purchase one dump truck and/or not do the rest of the road projects from Middleground Road. The chairman then enquired on the shape of Middleground Road; the Public Works Director, Ken Thomas stated the road was in “bad shape”. Commissioner Johnny Davis asked what portion of Middleground Road, the chairman stated the end of Middleground Road and they were looking at paving it because the road was in such bad shape. The chairman said they were looking at adding the aforementioned road to the resurfacing road list and purchasing one dump truck or not add the road and purchase two dump trucks. Commissioner New made a motion to purchase one truck and repair Middleground Road from the railroad tracks to HWY 80. Commissioner Wayne Davis asked which truck. After much discussion on which truck to purchase, Commissioner New withdrew his motion. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to resurface Middleground Road from the railroad tracks to HWY 80 and purchase the Freightliner truck for $140,941. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. MOU With Jefferson County and UGA Jefferson County Extension Office The county attorney reviewed the MOU with Jefferson County and UGA Jefferson County Extension Office below. ---PAGE BREAK--- After the county attorney’s review, Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to approve the MOU with Jefferson County and UGA Jefferson County Extension Office pending the county attorney’s approval. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Cameras at Selected Dump Site The chairman presented the following quotes on cameras for dumpsites located within the county. The quotes are from Zoom Telcom, a locally owned company. The chairman indicated the cameras would help curb illegal dumping at the various sites in the county. ---PAGE BREAK--- The chairman explained this was for informational purposes only as he wanted to allow the board an opportunity to review the cost of the system. He indicated he would have Zoom Telecom’s owner, Darryl Davis in attendance at the next meeting to answer any questions the board might have. LMIG and CARES Act Funding Updates The county administrator shared the following email from Bill Twomey, ACCG’s County Consulting Services Manager regarding LMIG and the CARES Act, a recent act implemented to alleviate some of the cost for employees having to miss work due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This was for informational purposes only. Gateways to County The chairman said the county needs gateway signs to the county, he would like to move forward with this, maybe speak with Lil Easterlin and Amy Howard at the Chamber of Commerce to see if there grants available to construct signs for the entrances into the county. Commissioner Wayne Davis said he and Commissioner Johnny Davis discussed this several years ago and had the idea that students would be solicited to create a logo for Jefferson County, whichever student won, they would use his/her logo. Chairman McGraw asked the interim chairman to make a note and invite Amy Howard to next week’s meeting to discuss the signs. Historic Signs Markers Chairman McGraw asked the board to endorse a sign or historic sites within the county, he said he thinks you would have to send something to the senator to get them to approve it to go through. He asked that the commissioners think of something in their district that would qualify and maybe send it to Representative Mack Jackson to get his help. March to the Sea Bike Signs Update ---PAGE BREAK--- The interim county administrator said there were several full-fledged state bicycle routes that had numbers with some of them running parallel to state roads; one of those trails in particular goes from Tennessee to Savannah, and is called the March to the. He said the city and county approved the signs marking the route a few years ago, but as of today the signage has not been placed. The interim administrator said he reached out to GDOT’s person in charge of traffic today to see if they could get the ball rolling on that. The county and city would have to provide the labor for placing the signs, but the signs are provided by GDOT. The chairman said they would move forward with that. NEW BUSINESS Middleground Road Repair/Resurfacing This item has already been discussed and voted on earlier in the meeting; however, the email below provides more information on the resurfacing of the road. IGA With Wrens on Permitting/Code Enforcement The county attorney reviewed the following IGA with the City of Wrens on permitting and code enforcement. The agreement is identical to the agreement the county has with the City of Louisville for their permitting and code enforcement. The county attorney said it was his recommendation that the board approve the IGA with the City of Wrens. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to approve the IGA with the City of Wrens on Permitting and Coding. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Reverend Bill Caine Reverend Bill Caine the minister at the Louisville Presbyterian Church presented a proposal to the board to obtain the Louisville Middle School building to implement a sober living facility in the county. This was for informational purposes only. Commissioner Johnny Davis expressed concern for the county inmates out on work details not wearing protective gear. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner New made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting and leave executive session. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Adjournment Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny Davis, Member Charles W. Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SECOND READING OF FY 2021 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 9, 2020 6:00 P.M. The purpose of this meeting was to review the tentative FY 2021 Budget. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member; Tommy New, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Commissioner Johnny Davis and County Attorney, Dalton Dowdy were absent. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order, led the pledge of allegiance and gave the invocation. Second Reading and Review of FY 2021 Budget Interim County Administrator, Chris Hutchings reviewed the FY 21 budget and answered questions from the board and the public. ---PAGE BREAK--- The next budget hearing will be Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., with a called meeting immediately after to adopt the budget. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Charles W. Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING JUNE 9, 2020 7:00 P.M.` This was the regular meeting for the month of June. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member; Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member; Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney: and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner New gave the invocation. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to amend the agenda by adding Wells to the agenda as NEW BUSINESS agenda item d. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to adopt the minutes. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Reports The chairman and the interim county administrator gave their respective reports. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda items were as follows: a. Motion to approve warden’s request for additional space at the transitional center b. Motion to move forward with Yancey Brother’s proposal c. Motion to purchase the Freightliner truck for $140,941 d. Motion to pave Middleground Road from the railroad tracks to HWY 80 e. Motion to approve the MOU with County and UGA Jefferson County Extension Office f. Motion to approve IGA with Wrens on Permitting/Code Enforcement pending county attorney review The chairman read the consent agenda items. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the consent agenda. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Johnny Davis said he had no problem with the purchase, but he received a call from a constituent he is a diesel mechanic regarding the purchase of the Freightliner truck. Commissioner Davis said there was a problem with the regen system; he said he called his former employer and was told the issue with the system was the trucks are not being driven long enough and far enough. With the regen system if the yellow light comes on you would have to pull to the side of the road, if the red light comes on the truck automatically shuts off and the truck would have to be towed in. He said an inmate should no ---PAGE BREAK--- longer be allowed to drive the trucks; a responsible individual needs to drive the trucks, because when the yellow light comes on the driver should pull over to the side of the road. The motion was unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Gateways to County/Historic Signs Markers The chairman welcomed Amy Howard from the Chamber of Commerce to the meeting to discuss placing “welcome signs” at the major thoroughfares, welcoming people into Jefferson County. Mrs. Howard stated the chamber uses 2% of the 5% hotel/motel tax and the primary restrictions for the money is it be used for promotional purposes and tourism purposes; and that signage was a great way to utilize some of the money and there are funds available to start that process. She also said the chamber board previously discussed forming a tourism committee and have input from the community and the commission board. This was for informational purposes and did not require a vote. Cameras at Selected Dumpsites The chairman showed the following information regarding the placement of cameras at the dumpsite. Commissioner Wayne Davis asked that Zoom’s owner Darryl Davis be present at the next meeting to provide information on the cameras at dumpsites. NEW BUSINESS Replacing Roof at Hardeman Building The following information was presented on the roof at the Hardeman Building. Because it was only one bid the county attorney advised the county to obtain more than one bid for the roof. Commissioner Gonice Davis stated the roof did not need to be flat, they would need to have a roof with some type of pitch. Commissioner New asked that they add the brick building on the courthouse square roof be included and repaired. Commissioner New made a motion to add the “old jailhouse” (the brick building on the courthouse square) roof to the bid, and that the “old jailhouse” (the brick building on the courthouse square) roof and the Hardeman Building roof be repaired at the same time. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of four to one. Commissioner Johnny Davis voted no. Commissioner Johnny Davis said he voted no because the brick building was a historic building and there was a lot of discussion about the building because the color that was on it was the historical color which was red and green. Commissioner New said he could show old pictures with the historical color. Washington County Inmate Work Detail The interim county administrator reviewed the following contract with Washington County for an inmate work detail. He said he spoke with Warden Oliphant and the warden said he could provide an eight-man detail. Implementing this contract would mean an increase in the number of inmates housed at the correctional facility and the addition of one correctional officer. This contract is the same as the one Jefferson County has with Emanuel and McDuffie Counties. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to approve the Washington County Inmate Detail Contract. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Humana HRA Bank Account The interim county administrator presented information on the county opening at the bank, an HRA bank account for Humana. An HRA plan is an employer-funded medical reimbursement plan. The employer sets aside a specific amount for employees to pay for health care expenses on an annual basis. HRA’s can generate significant savings in overall health benefits. This account will be opened at the Queensborough National Bank & Trust. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to approve the Humana HRA bank account at Queensborough National Bank & Trust. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Wells – March in Louisville, GA SCLC Secretary, Wells, informed the board of their intent to march Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Their intent is to start at Helen Clark Memorial Park and march through downtown to the Jefferson County Courthouse. This was for informational purposes only. Scheduled Public Comments Lisa Loyd, a resident of the Rufus Wren Subdivision expressed concern regarding the group wishing to convert the old Louisville Middle School building to a sober living facility. Reverend Bill Caine spoke to the board regarding his desire to obtain the Louisville Middle School to convert it into a sober living facility. Public Comments on Agenda Items There were no comments on agenda items. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny Davis, Member ---PAGE BREAK--- Charles W. Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THIRD AND FINAL READING OF FY 2021 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 16, 2020 9:00 A.M. The purpose of this meeting was to review the tentative FY 20/21 Budget. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney; and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Commissioner Gonice Davis, Commissioner New, and Commissioner Johnny Davis County. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order, led the pledge of allegiance and gave the invocation. Third and Final Reading and Review of FY 2021 Budget Interim County Administrator, Chris Hutchings reviewed the FY 21 budget and answered questions from the board and the public. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Charles W. Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING JUNE 16, 2020 9:30 A.M. This was a called meeting, held to adopt the FY20/21 Budget. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member; Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member: Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; Dalton Dowdy, County Attorney: and Bonnie Wells, County Clerk. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order and led the pledge. Commissioner Wayne Davis gave the invocation. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to amend the agenda. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The amendment was to add as NEW BUSINESS, item e, Stapleton Acres. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Roof at Hardeman Building Safety Coordinator, Robert Yonchak, presented information on the roof at the Hardeman Building, he informed the board the roof is leaking at the skylights. Commissioner Gonice Davis made a motion to get bids to repair the roof on the Hardeman Building. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. ---PAGE BREAK--- Discussion: Commissioner New asked why they couldn’t get the old jail’s roof repaired at the same time. He was told that roof was being repaired as well. NEW BUSINESS Adoption of FY21 Budget & Budget Resolution Interim County Administrator, Chris Hutchings, reviewed the FY 20/21 Budget. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to amend the budget by adding $5,000 to each fire department (Avera, Bartow, Matthews, Stapleton, Wadley, and Wrens) minus Station 800 (Hillcrest). Commissioner Wayne Davis amended his motion to include Station 800; therefore Avera, Bartow, Hillcrest, Matthews, Stapleton, Wadley, and Wrens Fire Departments will all receive an additional $5,000, which equates to the annual amount of money each fire station receives is $40,000. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. FY 20 Budget Amendments Interim County Administrator, Chris Hutchings, presented the following FY 19/20 Budget Amendments. Commissioner New made a motion to approve the FY 19/20 Budget Amendments. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. 2022 SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement Interim County Administrator, Chris Hutchings reviewed the 2022 SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement. The agreement is on file in the county clerk’s office and can be seen in its entirety there. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the 2022 SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement with the cities. Commissioner Johnny Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Stapleton Acres ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Wayne Davis said he wanted to talk about Stapleton Acres…the road was paved a few years ago and not long after the paving they started receiving complaints about the road. Epps Brothers, Inc. was the company completing the work on the aforementioned road. Commissioner Wayne Davis said they met with the company and they, the company, acknowledged the road was not done properly. Epps Brothers said they would come in and repair the road, but they never came back to repair the road. The chairman asked Jerry Brinson from Moreland Altobelli to look at the road; after Mr. Brinson’s inspection he said the road would have to be repaved because some of the holes were just that bad and it would cost approximately $63,000. Commissioner Gonice Davis said he had a road in his district that was in the same shape, New Fleming Church Road. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to resurface, triple surface New Fleming Church Road and Stapleton Acres Road after the county administrator does research and determines how much money is left in TIA after the current road projects are done. Commissioner New seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Johnny Davis asked that the board review the county paving their own roads. Public Comments There were no comments on agenda items. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny Davis, Member Charles W. Davis, Member JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CALLED MEETING JUNE 26, 2020 9:30 A.M. This was a called meeting, held to discuss Road Paving. It was held at the Jefferson County Multipurpose Complex (Old Armory). Those present were as follows: Mitchell McGraw, Chairman; Gonice C. Davis, Member; Tommy New, Member; Johnny Davis, Member: Wayne Davis, Member; Chris Hutchings, Interim County Administrator; and Glenise Dixon, Administrative Secretary. County Attorney Dalton Dowdy and County Clerk, Bonnie Wells were absent. Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order and led the pledge. Commissioner New gave the invocation. Commissioner Wayne Davis made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Gonice Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Road Paving ---PAGE BREAK--- Interim County Administrator, Chris Hutchings reviewed the information below regarding the amount of money in TIA. The county administrator recommended they utilize $150,000 from general funds to pave New Fleming Church Road and Stapleton Acres Road. Commissioner Johnny Davis made a motion to utilize funds from general funds to pave New Fleming Church Road and Stapleton Acres Road. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of four to one. Chairman McGraw, Commissioners Gonice Davis, Johnny Davis, and Wayne Davis voted yes. Commissioner New voted no. Public Comments There were no comments on agenda items. Adjournment Commissioner New made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Wayne Davis seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Attest: County Clerk Mitchell McGraw, Chairman Gonice C. Davis, Vice Chairman H. G. Thomas New, Member Johnny Davis, Member Charles W. Davis, Member